Materials Chemistry in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Our experimental research takes place at the interface between materials chemistry and nuclear chemistry to fabricate advanced nuclear fuel candidates, as well as potential nuclear waste forms. Developing tailored fabrication methods is our starting point and goes hand-in-hand with subsequent exploration of suitable applications and properties for a new material.
Once a successful fabrication process and promising fuel or waste form candidate are identified, we apply state-of-the-art characterization techniques to gain an in-depth understanding of the materials properties. Irradiation studies are applied to unravel the long-term behavior of fuel and waste form candidates. From a nuclear waste management standpoint the dissolution kinetics are the last piece to the puzzle.